A Ghio1, L Giusti2, E Blanc2, S Pinto2. 1. Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LPL, Aix-en-Provence, France. Electronic address: alain.ghio@lpl-aix.fr. 2. Aix-Marseille Université, CNRS, LPL, Aix-en-Provence, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Speech intelligibility can be defined as "the degree to which a speaker's intended message is recovered by a listener". Loss of intelligibility is one of the most frequent complaints in patients suffering from speech disorder, impairing communication. Measurement of intelligibility is therefore an important parameter in follow-up. We developed a French version of the "Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment, 2nd edition" (FDA-2), an intelligibility test recognized internationally in its English version. The present study details the construction of the test and its preliminary validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first compiled a set of words and phrases in French, based on the criteria defined in FDA-2. In a second step, we validated the test in healthy subjects in normal and noisy conditions, to check sensitivity to speech signal degradation. RESULTS: The test proved valid and sensitive, as scores were significantly lower for noise-degraded stimuli. CONCLUSION: This French-language intelligibility test can be used to evaluate speech disorder: for example, in dysarthria, head and neck cancer or after cochlear implantation.
OBJECTIVES: Speech intelligibility can be defined as "the degree to which a speaker's intended message is recovered by a listener". Loss of intelligibility is one of the most frequent complaints in patients suffering from speech disorder, impairing communication. Measurement of intelligibility is therefore an important parameter in follow-up. We developed a French version of the "Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment, 2nd edition" (FDA-2), an intelligibility test recognized internationally in its English version. The present study details the construction of the test and its preliminary validation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We first compiled a set of words and phrases in French, based on the criteria defined in FDA-2. In a second step, we validated the test in healthy subjects in normal and noisy conditions, to check sensitivity to speech signal degradation. RESULTS: The test proved valid and sensitive, as scores were significantly lower for noise-degraded stimuli. CONCLUSION: This French-language intelligibility test can be used to evaluate speech disorder: for example, in dysarthria, head and neck cancer or after cochlear implantation.